3/20/2010

Day games and Penguins hockey haven’t worked out as well as many of us hoped.

This season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have gone 3-3-2 in games starting 3pm or earlier. Just half of the possible points the Penguins could have acquired in this game.

Claiming the Atlantic Division title will be vital for the Pens. With the New Jersey Devils only two points behind Pittsburgh, no point is expendable.

The Penguins play in the first period was slow, brooding, and offensively unproductive, as the team failed to register a substantial shot total. Allowing teams like the Hurricanes to perform the way they did early on has been a glaring weakness in the Penguins game this season.

Marc-Andre Fleury was pulled in thursday night’s loss to the Devils. He has been playing brilliant hockey since.

Alexei Ponikarovsky has 6 points in 9 games since becoming a Pittsburgh Penguin. If the Pens falter in the playoffs, it won’t be Shero’s fault.

Evgeni Malkin clearly wasn’t 100% today, but it didn’t stop Geno from scoring a highlight reel goal. A 90% Malkin is still more dangerous than most team’s top line center at 100%

Jordan Staal’s goal in today’s game gave him yet another 20 goal season, a feat that Staal has earned in 3 out of his 4 seasons in the NHL. Since the beginning of the season, Staal has quickly elevated his game from being an exciting young player to top ten center to one of the game’s finest two-way forwards.

The penalty kill has quickly become one of the Penguins biggest strengths. If the team finds itself on the wrong side of special teams in the final stretch of the season, it will have to continue being consistent.

The Penguins lost 3-2 in overtime today. They will travel to Detroit tuesday night for a Stanley Cup Finals rematch with the Red Wings. Getting as many points as possible in Western Conference games is paramount for the flightless birds.